Professional BoatBuilder

Issue No. 142, April/May 2013 — Table of Contents

On the cover: This 31.2′ (9.5m) Boomeranger Special Ops C-3500 open RIB, powered by twin 300-hp Mercury Verado outboards, was the subject boat for a series of tests by the builder to determine the efficacy of two different models of shock-mitigating seats. Story on page 52.Photograph by Jaakko Pitkäjärvi/courtesy Boomeranger Boats.

FEATURES

Nigel Calder

Exploring hybrid propulsion.Page 26.

26The Hybrid Conundrumby Nigel CalderThere is little objective data to help determine whether hybrid propulsion technology, serial or parallel, is worthwhile in marine applications. Recent research and on-the-water testing shed some light on the subject.

52Practical Impact-Exposure Testingby Jussi Mannerberg To comply with the European Union’s 2002 Vibration Directive,Boomeranger Boats, a RIB builder in Finland, tests shock-mitigatingseats to determine which will best reduce impacts on boat operators.

Bruce Kirby

Bruce Kirby designs. Page 62.

62Kirbyby Rob Mazza The list of designer Bruce Kirby’s sailboats is formidable, headlinedby the enormously successful Laser, and including America’s Cupcontenders and a line of cruising sharpies.